Director, Pharmaceutical Sciences Program Leadership

USA - 3316 Takeda Development Center Americas, Inc.; Cambridge (MA); On-site; USD 177,000 - 278,000; Full time

Job summary

Takeda is seeking a senior leader to provide strategic scientific leadership and program management for multiple global CMC development teams. The role requires broad expertise in pharmaceutical product development, regulatory affairs, and cross-divisional collaboration.

The position involves leading complex programs, mentoring staff, and influencing governance and strategy across Takeda’s divisions and global partners.

Qualifications

• Requires leadership of complex, global CMC development programs.
• Strong scientific depth across pharmaceutical development and manufacturing.
• Experience with global regulatory submission processes and ICH/gCMP guidelines.

Responsibilities

• Provide strategic scientific leadership and program management for global CMC teams.
• Identify and mitigate project risks and communicate with stakeholders.
• Mentor staff and represent CMC in cross-divisional initiatives.

Skills

Strategic leadership

Program management

Risk management

Regulatory affairs

DMPK

Education

BS + 18 years experience

MS + 16 years experience

PhD + 10 years experience

Job description

Job Description Objective / Purpose:

Expected to engage others by inspiring commitment. Collaborate by influencing through relationships, mobilize high performance, anticipate the group’s future needs and help develop capabilities aligned with those needs. Champion change and be a role model for junior staff not only in technical expertise but across Takeda competencies. Independently leads development of strategy and plans for multiple, complex programs. Regularly leads and influences functional/divisional strategy, operations and innovation. Functional thought leader and mentor. Impactful contributor to divisional initiatives and may contribute to corporate, cross‑divisional, and global initiatives.

Program Leadership:

Provides strategic scientific leadership and program management for multiple global CMC development teams dealing with complex development programs that require scientific depth and overall product development acumen for successful execution. Identifies, mitigates and communicates project or program risks to relevant stakeholders. This person is expected to advance not only the program teams they lead but also other teams that are facing unique challenges. Lead/participates as functional expert in divisional and cross‑divisional initiatives. Represents CMC on cross‑divisional governance and development teams while providing strategy and accountability for CMC deliverables.

Technical Acumen:

Provides scientific leadership and innovation in pharmaceutical research and development. Builds teams across functions and geographies with individuals who have the right skills and experience to deliver on key organizational initiatives. Mentors other members of the department to develop their abilities to lead and advance their individual skills of pharmaceutical product development. Demonstrates humility and approachability in encouraging others to challenge ideas and openly raise issues. Acts as an internal consultant to the Pharmaceutical Sciences staff for any scientific advice that may be needed on a project basis. Develops the capabilities of the department by identifying opportunities and anticipating changes in the business landscape through an understanding and ongoing assessment of the environment affecting the business. Represents Pharmaceutical Sciences in cross‑divisional, corporate and global initiatives. Cultivates a broad network of relationships throughout Takeda, with affiliates and alliance partners, in the industry and area of expertise. Inspires commitment through a wide range of communication channels (meetings, writing, and presentations). Develops and communicates convincing business cases for department strategies that motivate stakeholders to take action. Ensures that technical and scientific standards within the function meet state‑of‑the‑art industry expectations. Identifies, evaluates, develops, recommends and/or negotiates novel solutions to meet critical project needs. Critically reviews technical and scientific reports from external sources and coordinates Takeda‑sponsored work.

Education & Competencies (Technical and Behavioral):

Education / Experience:

BS + 18 years of experience; MS + 16 years of experience; PhD + 10 years of experience.

Technical Skills/Competencies:

Ability to propose and influence development to result in a commercially viable product. Must have the maturity to utilize scientific and technical knowledge to provide unique business solutions. Experience must be in a scientific discipline with expert knowledge of pharmaceutical development, including an understanding of current laboratory techniques, instrumentation, problem solving techniques, process engineering and manufacturing development, and statistics used in experimental work. Regularly contributes functional expertise to external industry and advocacy groups. Must demonstrate knowledge of several allied fields, such as chemical engineering, analytical/organic/physical chemistry, process engineering, pharmaceutics, quality assurance and/or regulatory affairs. Advanced understanding in DMPK, Pharmacology and Toxicology. Extensive knowledge of current Good Manufacturing Practices (cGMP), ICH Guidelines, other pertinent national regulations, compendial requirements and communicating with regulatory agencies. Must have experience in global regulatory submission requirements and processes.

Program Leadership Skills/Competencies:

Experience with the application of project leadership knowledge, skills, tools, and techniques for complex multidisciplinary programs and initiatives. Leadership – develops and uses knowledge and interpersonal skills to influence and guide internal and external stakeholders towards the accomplishment of program, divisional and corporate goals and objectives; adapts well to different personalities and manages others on the team in a respectful manner. Risk Management – ability to identify/solve technical, budgetary, and schedule risks to multiple programs and propose appropriate risk response strategies. Ability to identify gaps in CMC technology/trends and influence change/improvements to affected areas/processes. Communication – ability to expresses one’s self clearly and concisely to key stakeholders; documents issues and/or concerns concisely and comprehensively; adjusts style, language and/or terminology appropriate for the audience. Can represent CMC viewpoint at corporate and industry level. Resource Management – ability to anticipate and manage internal and external resource needs (people, information, technologies, time, and capital).

Takeda Compensation and Benefits Summary

• For Location: Boston, MA U.S. Base Salary Range: $177,000.00 - $278,080.00
• The estimated salary range reflects an anticipated range for this position.
• The actual base salary offered may depend on a variety of factors, including the qualifications of the individual applicant for the position, years of relevant experience, specific and unique skills, level of education attained, certifications or other professional licenses held, and the location in which the applicant lives and/or from which they will be performing the job.
• The actual base salary offered will be in accordance with state or local minimum wage requirements for the job location.

EEO Statement

Takeda is proud in its commitment to creating a diverse workforce and providing equal employment opportunities to all employees and applicants for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, gender expression, parental status, national origin, age, disability, citizenship status, genetic information or characteristics, marital status, status as a Vietnam era veteran, special disabled veteran, or other protected veteran in accordance with applicable federal, state and local laws, and any other characteristic protected by law.

Locations & Employment Type

Locations Boston, MA; Worker Type Employee; Worker Sub‑Type Regular Time Type Full time; Job Exempt Yes. It is unlawful in Massachusetts to require or administer a lie detector test as a condition of employment or continued employment. An employer who violates this law shall be subject to criminal penalties and civil liability.

About Takeda

Takeda is an industry‑leading, global pharmaceutical company with an unwavering dedication to putting patients at the center of everything we do. We live our values of Takeda‑ism – Integrity, Fairness, Honesty, and Perseverance – and are united by our mission to strive towards Better Health and a Brighter Future for people worldwide through leading innovation in medicine. Here, everyone matters and you will be a vital contributor to our inspiring, bold mission. At Takeda, you will make an impact on people’s lives – including your own. Takeda is an equal opportunity employer.